Actuating cap



Nov. 12, 1963 c. suop 3,110,426

ACTUATING CAP Filed NOV. 3, 1960 United StatesPatent O 3,110,426 ACTUATING CAP {Iliaries J. Bishop, 65 Main St, Framingham Center, Mass. Filed Nov. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 67,190 2 Claims. (Cl. 222tl5) This invention relates to aerosol bombs and more particularly to a means for operating such bombs remotely.

There are currently available a great number of products packaged as aerosol sprays in so-called bomb containers. Packaging in aerosol bombs provides a convenient unit for handling and sale and also provides a convenient and inexpensive means for applying the product which particularly lends itself to the repeated application of small doses. The bombs themselves are typically cylinders of a size conveniently held in one hand while the valve is usually located at one end and adapted to be easily operable by a forefinger.

While these bombs are thus particularly suited for handheld operation the products so contained often have utility in iocations which are not within arms-reach. An example of such a use is the spraying of trees and shrubbery with insecticide. There are also some applications for these products wherein the valve is to be held open over an appreciable length of time. An object of the present invention is to provide a means whereby such readily available aerosol bombs may be operated remotely. A further object is to provide means for locking the valve of an aerosol bomb in open position.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a means for operating the valve of an aerosol spray container which is operable when the container is attached to one end of a pole, which is particularly adapted to operate with standard and presently available types of valves, which is conveniently operable, which will perrm't operation in a wide variety of positions, and which is of simple and inexpensive construction.

The present invention contemplates for these purposes a cap for engagement with the valve assembly which includes a means for attaching an actuating means.

For purposes of illustration a preferred embodiment of such a cap is shown in the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an aerosol bomb attached to a pole and fitted with a cap and actuating cord according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the aerosol bomb and pole of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a valve cap; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of an aerosol bomb with a cap and holding hook attached.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 3 shows the construction of a typical valve as fitted to an aerosol bomb. The valve assembly includes an upwardly projecting cup portion 11 through which projects a hollow valve stem 13. The lower end of the stem 13 terminates in a rounded flange 15 which normally seats upwardly against a gasket 16 fitting in the end of the cup portion 11. A spring 18 forces a cap 20 including a gasket 21 firmly against the lower side of the flange 15. This cap 29 is also rounded, in the concave sense, so as to fit the rounded flange 15. In the side of the stem 13 near the flange 1'5 is a small aperture 17 which enables the interior of the stem to communicate with space formed next to the gasket 16 by the concave surface of the flange 15. The opposite end of the spring 18 bears against the end of a cup 27 which is held frictionally by the cup portion 11 of the valve assembly 10 and which includes a stem por- 3,110,426 Patented Nov. 12, 1963 tion 23 adapted for connection to a tube 29 leading to the bottom of the aerosol container.

The valve may be opened by tilting the stem 13 relative to the rest of the valve assembly 10. Doing this causes one part of the flange 15 to lift clear of the gasket 16 allowing the pressure on the inside of the valve 10 to escape through the aperture 17 and up the stem 13. The inside of the valve 10 is pressurized through the tube 29 by the contents of the container. The tube 29 allows the spray formed by the escaping pressure to draw off material even though the container becomes partially emptied.

The stem 13 is usually fitted with a cap 30, typically of plastic, which includes a nozzle 31 for directing a spray laterally. The actuating cap 50 according to the present invention is preferably arranged to fit over this cap 30 although it should be understood that the cap 30 could be eliminated in which case the actuating cap 50 would be designed so as to fit directly over the valve stem 13, the functions of the two caps being combined in a single unit.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an aerosol bomb 46 attached to a pole 42 by a bracket 43- and fitted with an actuating cap 59 according to the present invention. The cap 50, shown to a larger scale in FIG. 4, comprises a hollow cylinder having a slot 51 (FIG. 2) along one side to pro vide clearance for the nozzle 31 and to allow the cap 50 to resiliently grip the plastic nozzle cap 30. A second slot 55, extending transversely of the cylinder near one end, permits the attachment of an actuating cord 56, as by the link 57.

In operation, the aerosol bomb may be held at a distance from the operator by means of the pole 42 and operated by pulling the cord 56. As shown in FIG. 1, the cord passes over an edge 58 of the container 60 causing the tension placed upon the cord 56 to draw the valve stem 13 to the side, releasing the contents of the container. Since the valve may be operated by tilting the stem 13 in any direction and since the slot 55 permits the actuating cord 57 to be pulled from almost any direction, the bomb may be operated in any of a great variety of positions.

FIG. 5 shows another use for an actuating cap according to the present invention. In some applications it may be desirable to leave the valve open for appreciable lengths of time. If a cap according to the present invention is fitted with a hook 70, adapted to engage some projection or edge on an aerosol bomb, the valve may be held open without attention from the operator. An edge convenient for this purpose is the lip 72 typically formed in securing the valve assembly to the container proper. It the hook 70 is arranged as shown in PEG. 5, the valve may be opened by pressing downwardly on the hook causing it to wedge against and then engage the lip 72.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that the present invention includes all modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. For controlling a spray can of the type having a control valve and a tiltable nozzle for actuating the valve, the nozzle having its outlet in one side, an attachment comprising a sleeve adapted to telescope over said nozzle, the sleeve having a longitudinal slot to permit the sleeve to be sprung over the nozzle and to permit the passage of spray from said outlet, the upper end of the sleeve projecting above the nozzle and having a circumferential slot therein, and an actuator slidable lengthwise of said circumferential slot so that the sleeve may be tilted fiom different sides.

2. For controlling a spray can of the type having a 4 control valve and a tiltab'le nozzle for actuating the valve, slidable lengthwise of the slot so that the valve may be an attachment comprising a sleeve adapted to telescope tilted from different sides. v over said nozzle, the sleeve having an opening to permit the passage of spray from the nozzle, and means for tilt- References Cited in the file of this patent ing the sleeve and nozzle, the upper end of the sleeve pro- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS jecting above the nozzle and said means comprising an aperture in said end and an actuator extending through 2,553,272 Rubenstem et a1 June 26, 1951 the aperture, said aperture comprising a slot extending 2,790,533 Kolellda PI- 1 7 circumferentially of the sleeve and the actuator being 2,953,283 Palko'wski Sept. 20, 1960 

1. FOR CONTROLLING A SPRAY CAN OF THE TYPE HAVING A CONTROL VALVE AND A TILTABLE NOZZLE FOR ACTUATING THE VALVE, THE NOZZLE HAVING ITS OUTLET IN ONE SIDE, AN ATTACHMENT COMPRISING A SLEEVE ADAPTED TO TELESCOPE OVER SAID NOZZLE, THE SLEEVE HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT TO PERMIT THE SLEEVE TO BE SPRUNG OVER THE NOZZLE AND TO PERMIT THE PASSAGE OF SPRAY FROM SAID OUTLET, THE UPPER END OF THE SLEEVE PROJECTING ABOVE THE NOZZLE AND HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SLOT THEREIN, AND AN ACTUATOR SLIDABLE LENGTHWISE OF SAID CIRCUMFERENTIAL SLOT SO THAT THE SLEEVE MAY BE TILTED FROM DIFFERENT SIDES. 